Magnesium microneedle patches for under-eye wrinkles

Abstract

Microneedling is a common cosmetic procedure for improvement of wrinkles, acne, scars, and other conditions. Various microneedle (MN) patches have been developed as home care therapy for wrinkles and skin texture. Most of them are made of soluble and absorbable needles. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-absorbable magnesium (Mg) MN patches on under-eye wrinkles. A total of 20 subjects aged 27-58 years was enrolled in the study. The subjects applied Mg MN patches on the under-eye wrinkle area for 1-2 h every other night for 12 weeks. The evaluation comprised grading by clinicians, measuring the wrinkle index with a facial analyzer, and measuring the dermal thickness of the under-eye area with ultrasonography. Any adverse events and discomfort were addressed during the study. The application of Mg MN patches on under-eye areas showed improvements in under-eye grading scale, wrinkle index, and dermal thickness after 12 weeks. The mean grading scale significantly improved after 8 weeks of application (p < 0.01). The wrinkle index showed significant improvement after 12 weeks on the right under-eye area (p < 0.05). The dermal thickness of the under-eye area tended to increase, but no statistically significant changes were observed. Non-absorbable Mg MN patches can be used for under-eye wrinkles with minimal discomfort.

Keywords: efficacy; magnesium; microneedle patch; safety; under-eye wrinkles.

FIGURE 1

(A) An image of a microneedle patch. (B) The patch application on the under‐eye area. The locations of the measurement site of the dermal thickness using ultrasonography are shown (indicated by black arrow, 2 cm below the lateral canthus of both eyes)

FIGURE 2

The grading scale of under‐eye wrinkles was developed for the evaluation of under‐eye wrinkles. Grade 1 (GR 1): a few distinct, fine wrinkles; Grade 1.5 (GR 1.5): a few distinct, fine wrinkles with one or two moderate wrinkles; Grade 2 (GR 2): numerous distinct, fine wrinkles with a deep wrinkle confined to the medial side; Grade 2.5 (GR 2.5): numerous distinct, fine wrinkles with a few moderate wrinkles; Grade 3 (GR 3): numerous distinct, fine wrinkles with a deep wrinkle on both medial and lateral sides and/or indistinct bag under eyes; Grade 3.5 (GR 3.5): numerous distinct, fine wrinkles with three or four deep wrinkles and/or distinct bags under eyes. Grade 0 (no wrinkles) and Grade 4 (numerous distinct, fine, and moderate wrinkles with numerous deep wrinkles) are not shown in the picture

FIGURE 3

Photographs of a representative subject with under‐eye wrinkles showing clinically favorable improvement. (A) Frontal view at V1 (week 0) and at week V5 (week 12), (B) right oblique view at V1 and V5, and (C) left oblique view at V1 and V5

FIGURE 4

The mean grading scale of under‐eye wrinkles from week 0 (V1) to week 12 (V5) after application of MN patch. **p < 0.01, statistically significant compared with week 0

FIGURE 5

The mean change of wrinkle index by facial analyzer (Mark‐Vu®) (A) right and (B) left under‐eye area from week 0 (V1) to week 12 (V5). *p < 0.05, statistically significant compared with week 0

FIGURE 6

The ultrasound images of the representative subjects at V1 (week 0) and V5 (week 12)

FIGURE 7

The comparison of mean dermal thickness of the right and left under‐eye areas at week 0 (V1) and week 12 (V5)